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Ukraine has reported that Starlink and its military-grade Starshield service have resumed pre-restriction speeds after days of limits that capped connectivity for objects moving above about 160km/h. Kyiv said monitoring systems now record stable connections above 400km/h. Washington, SpaceX and Elon Musk have each denied clear responsibility for the throttle that disrupted drone missions.
The president has traveled to Ohio to bolster Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, highlighting data-center policy and energy costs while facing questions about the economy and Iran-related tensions. The trip underscores concerns about inflation and turnout in key battleground districts.
The Iran war continues to drive global energy volatility. US forces maintain a naval blockade; oil prices have risen sharply, pressuring consumers as fuel costs stay elevated amid ongoing clashes and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House is weighing action against Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle amid reports of improper conduct in Athens, with officials signaling potential dismissal as investigations intensify.
Iran has strengthened its nuclear and military defenses while warning of broader retaliation if the United States resumes attacks. Satellite imagery shows reinforced facilities as regional strains escalate, with Washington preparing options for renewed strikes amid carrier deployments.
The Justice Department has opened an antitrust inquiry into whether the five-network White House TV pool violated the Sherman Act after the pool paused coverage in protest of the administrations temporary ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. A federal judge has restored the outlets White House credentials, but CNN says the White House is still excluding it from Air Force One and pool duties and has warned it will return to court. (As of Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:39:50 +0000)
Homeland Security Investigations has executed a court-authorised search of Representative Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence on 12 October as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Agents have seized phones, notebooks, a passport and other items; grand jury subpoenas have been issued to some relatives. No charges have been announced.
Federal authorities have expanded an ongoing criminal probe into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s immigration paperwork, seizing items from her Washington, D.C., home and issuing grand jury subpoenas to relatives. Omar’s lawyers call the operation politically motivated, while investigators say it complies with court orders. The case remains active ahead of the November elections.
The White House has asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign after weeks of reports detailing alleged improper conduct, including a claim that she sought a donor’s payment of a $100,000 bill in exchange for access to officials. Rubio defends the ambassador while investigations continue. The move marks the end of a tenure that lasted less than a year.
Russian authorities have arrested a Japanese reporter identified as Yuki Imai of the Hokkaido Shimbun on Sakhalin and flown him to Moscow on suspicion of gathering information on Russia's defence capabilities for Japanese intelligence. Tokyo has demanded consular access, summoned Russia's ambassador and called for the reporter's fair treatment; Moscow says the case is not isolated.
Ambassador Guilfoyle has been asked to resign amid a string of allegations reported by The Wall Street Journal and others. Trump has stated she will not be there in Greece, with officials noting concerns over gifts and influence peddling. Guilfoyle has defended her record while denying wrongdoing.
Iran is bolstering defenses around sensitive sites and mobilising civilian support in the run-up to potential renewed US strikes after the November midterms. Reports say Tehran has warned regional actors of retaliation and is preparing its population for war, while the US and allied forces position for possible renewed hostilities.
Ukraine has reported that Starlink's military variant, Starshield, was slowed in mid‑October, degrading its drone and air‑defence operations. The Wall Street Journal has reported Donald Trump phoned Elon Musk and asked him to restore full service; Trump and SpaceX deny a formal White House order. Kyiv says speeds have only been partially restored and the disruption has cost defensive capability.
Netflix has announced a major round of job cuts, affecting its product, tech, legal and human-resources teams. The company says it remains on track to meet its full-year forecast, with around 16,000 employees at year-end and renewed emphasis on high-impact areas amid a competitive streaming landscape.
Netflix has announced significant leadership changes and a major round of layoffs as it grapples with slowing engagement and fierce competition. The company has replaced Bela Bajaria with Peter Rice and is restructuring its film unit, while still pursuing a streaming-first strategy and exploring limited theatrical windows for certain titles.
The Conflict Armament Research report shows the Houthis are pursuing an indigenous, longer-range missile program. Chinese-supplied components are enabling partial local assembly of Iran’s Kheibar Shekan system, expanding the group’s capacity to strike across the Gulf and beyond. The development underscores growing independence from Iran and raises regional security concerns.
Public scrutiny has intensified as watchdogs file complaints alleging that Katie Zacharia has misrepresented her legal credentials. The controversy centers on whether she is licensed to practice law in the United States, given conflicting statements about where she passed the bar. The White House faces pressure as lawmakers demand clarity and potential bar investigations unfold.
The former president has publicly called for harsh penalties for leaks at a campaign event in Bullhead City, amid tension over recent covert operations and media reporting. Public figures have criticized leaks that allegedly reveal timing and details of military actions.
KFC US will shift from PepsiCo to Coca‑Cola beverages starting January, with full rollout by Q1 2027. International KFC locations will keep PepsiCo drinks. Taco Bell and KFC international stores will also serve Coca‑Cola products.
President Donald Trump has said the US is holding talks with Russia and China aimed at denuclearising their largest arsenals and that China could "catch up" to US nuclear capacity within five years; he has discussed the issue in interviews and, Newsmax reported, in a call with Xi Jinping. Today's date: Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:20:11 +0100.
The newly appointed White House press secretary has served for less than a week amid intense scrutiny over her legal credentials and the administration’s response to a difficult briefing. President Trump says she should reconsider, citing how the media has treated her.
A new documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, You Can See Everything, has opened strongly, blending true-crime tension with media ethics. Viewers are exploring Holmes’s claims, her relationship with Billy Evans, and the documentary’s approach to truth as Fielder and Oppenheim shape two connected films.
Federal agents have raided Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C. home as part of an investigation into her immigration status. The White House says the inquiry is aimed at restoring law and order, while Democrats call the move an abuse of power. Obama has weighed in, arguing the investigation risks weaponizing the federal government against critics ahead of the midterms.
Zelensky and US envoys are in Oslo with Finnish President Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Støre to push for a constructive diplomatic path amid strained US-Ukraine ties. Talks focus on early-warning intelligence, Starlink access, and Patriot missiles as Washington weighs its broader role in ending the Ukraine conflict.
Elon Musk has said special committees at Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a possible merger and that combining the firms "would be a good idea." He has recused himself from the committees. The proposal would require approval from at least 50% of Tesla shareholders and has sparked stock movement and renewed debate over control, AI and national-security implications.
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company misled state residents about its handling of Facebook user data, including links to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The judge reduced a higher statutory penalty to $25bn and directed proceeds to state programs including schools.
Meta Platforms has announced a plan to raise capital to fund its AI expansion, including a potential combination of public offerings and an at-the-market stock program. The move accompanies continued heavy investment in data centers and AI products as the company faces investor scrutiny over financing its growth.
The Starshield system has faced scrutiny as Trump, Musk, and US officials clash over control and speed limits. Starlink services have fluctuated as narratives clash about who ordered changes and why, while Ukraine’s defence relies on the technology.
SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield throttling in Ukraine has heightened tensions with Kyiv and lawmakers, while Ukraine accelerates plans with Nokia, ICEYE, and Nordic partners to build sovereign comms capabilities and reduce dependence on SpaceX. EU IRIS2 and rival services loom as policymakers demand accountability.
The Texas Senate race has intensified as James Talarico accuses Elon Musk of trying to buy influence, citing funding from Musk-linked groups. Musk has donated hundreds of millions to pro-Paxton outfits while Talarico touts grassroots support and a widening fundraising gap ahead of the November vote.
A DHS inspector general referral has prompted a DOJ inquiry into potential contracting abuses under Kristi Noem’s tenure, involving Lewandowski and a 220-million advertising deal. Presidents, aides, and contractors face scrutiny as officials deny wrongdoing.
The White House has removed tariffs on specific Canadian goods — including plywood, packing materials, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment — and will impose duties on other items starting Oct. 30. Senators and businesses in Maine have secured exemptions after lobbying; critics say the move appears timed to help Senator Susan Collins in a tight reelection fight and to blunt local economic pain.
Instacart has engaged banks to evaluate options as talks with DoorDash and Uber continue. Bloomberg and the Journal report ongoing discussions with potential buyers; the talks have spurred stock moves and raised antitrust considerations. A sale could value the company around $16-17 billion if a premium is paid, with Uber and DoorDash expanding grocery wings.
Apple has acknowledged an inner-display fault affecting a small number of iPhone Duo units sold since the device launched on 23 October. Early owners have reported cracks, bright lines and crunching noises when unfolding the phone. Apple has said affected customers should contact AppleCare for replacements and that most units are not affected.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is investigating whether Polymarket has violated a 2022 settlement by blocking US users and monitoring location data, as it expands its regulated US platform. The inquiry also covers onboarding procedures and trader protections. The probe follows earlier closures of related investigations and comes ahead of upcoming elections.
Reddit has begun testing a primarily logged-in experience in select markets outside the US, aiming to bolster ads targeting and curb data scraping. The company reports rising revenue and user engagement, but warns of possible declines in search referrals and daily active users in upcoming quarters.